Will of Thomas Claggett

Served at Valley Forge and elsewhere

The 1898 obituary
for Ann Claggett says that Thomas J0hnson Claggett is living in Lexington at the time
of
his sister's death.

Thomas Johnson Claggett (b. 1 JUN 1841 d. 4 Feb 1901)

The funeral of Mr. Thomas J. Claggett was held at his late residence at 2.
p. m. on Wednesday of last week. The attendance was very large, demonstrating
the esteem in which he was held a by his neighbors and acquaintances. As was
said in the paper, last week, Mr. Claggett had been in rather poor health for
the past seven years, but this winter he had been about as usual, was able
to be out of doors and, even went to town a few times.

About a week before his death he was taken with the grippe, but there was
no apprehension of danger, and his death came as a great surprise to his family.

Mrs. [Columbia] Claggett was in Chicago visiting her daughter, Mrs. [Anne] Nannie Roy, but was
herself taken quite seriously sick and was confined to the bed when word came
of her husband's illness. To her very great sorrow she was not able to be with
and minister to his comfort during the closing days of his life. But however
every thing was done for him which medical skill and the loving bands of faithful
children could devise.

The Rev. J. E. Connor officiated and preached a very comforting and helpful
sermon. Misses Maggie Shade and Laura Rent and Dr. Covey and A. H. Scrogin
sang, Miss Alta Williams was organist. The bearers were Messrs E. H. Hyneman,
John Langstaff, J. E. Covey, Harmon Hefner, James Woodard all of Lexington,
and Wm. Hursey of Normal. The body was laid to rest in the Lexington cemetery.

Thomas J. Claggett was born in Fauquier County, Va., June 1, 1841. Died at
his home near Lexington Ill., Monday morning Feb. 4, 1901, aged fifty-nine
years, eight months and three days. He married Miss Columbia Claggett, Aug.
5, 1861. To them nine children were born, two sons and seven daughters. Of
these four only survive, viz: Mrs. [Emily] Emma C. Hefner of Lexington, Ill., Mrs.
[Anne] Nannie Roy, of Chicago; Miss Minnie Claggett and Mr. S[amuel] C. Claggett, of Lexington.
These with their widowed mother mourn the departure of their loved one to the
other worId. Mr. Claggett leaves also a brother Mr. F. [Benjamin Franklin "Frank"] Claggett, and two sisters,
Mrs. [Frances "Fannie"Caroline] Wm. Francis, of Belton, Va., and Mrs. Julia [Catherine Claggett Beasley] Kirby, of Aon, Va., Mrs.
S[anford]. R. [Nancy Terry] Claggett, a sister-in-law, and other more remote relatives.

Mr. Claggett and family moved to Illinois in [February] 1879. For the last
nineteen years he has resided in this community. He was known to all as an
industrious man, a good neighbor, a loving husband and a kind father. For the
last seven years his health has been poor. Last spring he gave evidence of
being near the end of his earthly career. Again in the fall be was taken worse
but recovered sufficiently to get up and go around. One week ago Monday he
was again attacked and it soon became apparent that his end was near. He departed-this
life Monday morning, a few minutes before eleven.

I have known the departed for over a year and during that time have been in
the home repeatedly. While be was sick last spring and again this fall I Visited
him, and both times he himself requested that I should lead in prayer.

On Monday morning I talked to him in regard to his prospect and he declared
that he wan resigned and ready to go, that he expected soon to be in that home
where there is no sickness or pain or death. He said moreover, that he had
made his peace with God some three years ago. He had also made such arrangements
as he wished in regard to his funeral services, and even selected the text
used this afternoon. It is our prayer that God may comfort the widow and fatherless,
the brother and other friends as he only can.